Ashwin: I had to stick to the basics... came out with a plan and it was very important to keep a rhythm going. Very few balls spin on this wicket. You have to slow it down and vary your pace. The match is very well poised. Virat batted beautifully. We are in a good position.

16:40(IST)

After 34 overs,India 98/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 56 , Ajinkya Rahane 22)

That's stumps on Day 3. India reach a commanding position, leading by 298 runs. Kohli and Rahane are going strong and India will be looking to extend their lead to at least 400, and then put England in on a crumbling pitch.

16:34(IST)

Four! Another ball which keeps low, and Kohli punches it through the on-side to take the team within touching distance of 100.

16:28(IST)

Kohli and Rahane bring up the 50-run partnership off 92 balls. An invaluable stand after India were on the back foot early on, losing both the openers and Pujara.

16:26(IST)

50 for Kohli! The Indian captain can just do no wrong! A half century to go with the century in the first innings in his 50th Test.

16:20(IST)

After 30 overs,India 85/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 48 , Ajinkya Rahane 18)

Kohli is approaching another fifty in his 50th Test. The Indian captain has ensured there were no alarms after Vijay, Rahul and the first innings centurion Pujara were removed early. The pitch is getting harder with every passing over, with variable bounce coming into play. But till Kohli is there, India would not lose hope. Rahane, at the other end, is giving his captain good company.

16:09(IST)

Here's an interesting fact:

KL Rahul playing his 10th Test, Saha his 20th, Pujara his 40th and Kohli his 50th. #IndvsEng

Another one keeps low. The pitch is starting to get more and more difficult. And then one jumps up sharply, making it just a bit uncomfortable for Rahane. India's lead could prove decisive on this pitch.

15:27(IST)

Four! Meanwhile Kohli just continues from where he left off in the first innings. A fine on drive for a boundary.

15:25(IST)

Ajinkya Rahane the new batsman.

15:24(IST)

Out! Disaster for India as James Anderson removes the in-form Cheteshwar Pujara. The ball undergoes reverse swing, comes back in sharply and sneaks between bat and pad to hit the middle stump. India 40/3 after 16.5 overs and in a spot of bother.

15:17(IST)

Four! Low bounce, but Kohli steers it past the slip cordon for a boundary.

15:15(IST)

After 15 overs,India 30/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 1 , Virat Kohli (C) 11)

Broad gets his second victim, this time sending Rahul back for 10 as both openers disappoint again. Kohli however, gets going from the word 'go', executing his cover and square drives in no time. Meanwhile, Stokes and Anderson replace Rashid and Broad in the attack

15:02(IST)

KL Rahul playing his 10th Test, Saha his 20th, Pujara his 40th and Kohli his 50th. #IndvsEng

OUT! India are two down with just 17 runs on board! Rahul looks to defend a length delivery outside off, and manages to get the faintest of edges. Barely any reaction from the keeper and slip fielder Cook, but Broad as well as short-leg fielder Hameed are convinced they heard a sound. For the second time in this innings, Broad manages to make umpire Tucker overturn his decision.

KL Rahul c Jonny Bairstow b Stuart Broad 10(31)

14:51(IST)

After 10 overs,India 17/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 10 , Cheteshwar Pujara 0)

Broad starts off with a maiden after being handed the ball at the start of the final session of the day. Meanwhile, Rahul brings up the first boundary of the innings with a late cut off a tossed up delivery from Rashid — the first time a spinner is introduced by England — before ending the over with a paddle sweep down fine-leg.

Broad however, pulls things back in favour of the visitors by getting rid of Vijay in the 9th over, having to use DRS to overturn umpire Rod Tucker's initial decision of not out after Vijay got an inside-edge and deflected the ball off his pad to Root.

14:46(IST)

OUT! Broad gets the early breakthrough, and this time it is Vijay who disappoints! Gets a thick inside-edge and a deflection off his pad, with Root diving forward in the slips to collect the catch. Umpire Rod Tucker initially turns the appeal down thinking it to be off the batsman's pad, but the review overturns it. India 16/1

Murali Vijay c Joe Root b Stuart Broad 3(25);

14:17(IST)

Tea, Day 3: Vijay and Rahul have ensured that India doesn't lose a wicket going into tea. India are 8/0 after 6 overs.

14:12(IST)

After 5 overs,India 7/0 ( Murali Vijay 2 , Lokesh Rahul 1)

Anderson opens the bowling for England and the very first ball goes for four legbyes. Oh, Anderson's fourth ball has stayed low but Rahul manages to block it. Broad starts off with a maiden. Anderson bowls a sharp in swinger and ball hits Vijay on his thigh.

13:57(IST)

Murali Vijay and KL Rahul walk out to bat. Anderson to bowl the first over of the 2nd inns.

A strong comeback by India after Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow frustrated them in the first hour of the day. Umesh Yadav provided the breakthrough and then the spinners consolidated on the position. Meanwhile, India haven't enforced the follow-on, they will bat again.

13:38(IST)

OUT! Two in two! Ashwin sends back Anderson on the first ball to get his 22nd fifer. England all out for 255 and they have an option of enforcing the follow on, which seems like they won't. Anderson lbw b Ashwin 0(1)

13:37(IST)

OUT! Broad trapped LBW by Ashwin, but looked like it would've gone down the leg side. Broad doesn't have a review to use. Broad lbw b Ashwin 13(26)

13:33(IST)

After 102 overs,England 255/8 ( Adil Rashid 32 , Stuart Broad 13)

Cleaning up the tail is considered as one of the simpler jobs in cricket. But nothing gets more frustrating when they get going. Rashid and Broad have done well against spin and looked to score despite Ashwin's effortless show with the ball. Meanwhile England are just 1 run away from saving the follow on.

13:15(IST)

After 96 overs,England 234/8 ( Adil Rashid 24 , Stuart Broad 0)

The runs have dried up after Stokes' dismissal. Jadeja removes Ansari for 4. England trail by 221 runs.

13:12(IST)

OUT! Jadeja sends back Ansari to the pavilion. The latter reviews it immediately but hawk eye clearly shows it would've gone onto hit the middle of the stumps. Ansari lbw b Jadeja 4(9)

After 91 overs, England 225/7 (Rashid 19, Ansari 0) Raining boundaries! Taking the new ball has not at all worked for India. Kohli is upset with Umesh of whose bowling, most of the damage has been incurred. 8 off his 18th over. Kohli dispenses pace immediately, brings back Jadeja and Ashwin into the attack. Ashwin takes the big wicket of Stokes.

12:54(IST)

OUT! Ashwin traps Stokes lbw and Dharmasena rules him out. The England batsman reviews it after a talk with Rashid. Three reds and decision stays. Stokes lbw b Ashwin 70(157)

12:30(IST)

After 85 overs,England 210/6 ( Ben Stokes 61 , Adil Rashid 13)

Did India miss a trick or two by taking the new ball with the lower order in? Only time will tell. As of now India are leaking runs. Four boundaries since the new ball was taken. The visitors cross the 200-run mark after Adil Rashid tickles Yadav's delivery to fine leg. "Glorious," describes Shastri as Rashid plays a beautiful cover drive off Yadav for a boundary.

12:25(IST)

Must confess I thought, with the lower order in, India would have stayed with reverse swing for a while.

Players are back on the field after lunch. Shami to resume with the old ball.

11:37(IST)

Lunch, Day 3: Bairstow and Stokes played out the first hour extremely well. But the late strike has just shifted the momentum towards India. The onus is on Stokes if England want to save the follow on.

11:30(IST)

After 80 overs,England 190/6 ( Ben Stokes 55 , Adil Rashid 0)

Just when one thought that things are going out of India's hand, Umesh Yadav bowled an absolute peach to remove Bairstow and break the partnership. Adil Rashid comes out to bat at the centre. New ball is available and both of India's reviews have been restored. However, India have opted against the new ball.

11:24(IST)

OUT! Umesh gets rid of Bairstow moments before lunch. He falls for 53. It swings in through the air, hits Bairstow's pads and then the stumps. Bairstow b U Yadav 53(152)

Milestones! Stokes gets to his 8th Test fifty and Bairstow brings up both his half century and 100-run partnership with Stokes with a four. Yadav meanwhile comes back into the attack. Unless something dramatic happens England might save the follow on.

11:07(IST)

This is the third 100 run partnership in Tests between Bairstow and Stokes in 2016.

FIFTY! Bairstow completes half century, 100-run stand with Stokes for the 6th wicket. The batsman has had an outstanding year so far.

10:59(IST)

FIFTY! Stokes brings up the milestone with a single. It's his 8th half century. A very important knock and has looked very comfortable against spinners.

10:52(IST)

After 70 overs,England 171/5 ( Ben Stokes 45 , Jonny Bairstow (W) 44)

England have snatched away whatever little advantage India had at start of day's play. Both Stokes and Baristow are growing in confidence with each ball and have started scoring freely. Bairstow sweeps Jayant Yadav for a four to deep square leg. Oh! The very next delivery falls just short off Kohli at mid-wicket.

Ashwin's batting provides the team much-needed flexibility in team selection, since Kohli can now play five bowlers.

10:33(IST)

After 65 overs,England 158/5 ( Ben Stokes 39 , Jonny Bairstow (W) 37)

Ashwin continues. Slip, short leg and leg slip positioned. Oh, his fourth ball stays low and Saha gets beaten by it. England get 2 byes. Sloppy covering up and needless throwing by India. Stokes works it on the leg side for a single, but Jadeja senses a run out chance and throws it at the non strikers end. The ball goes for a four despite Pujara's chasing efforts. Four bonus runs! Brilliant use of feet, Stokes walks down the ground and drills it wide of mid-off. Shami bowls a maiden in his 11th over. Bairstow edges Ashwin for a four. And it's drinks!

10:15(IST)

After 60 overs,England 138/5 ( Ben Stokes 28 , Jonny Bairstow (W) 30)

Stokes and Bairstow have started rotating the strike pretty well. For some reason, Ashwin has bowled that one loose ball in every over of this spell. Stokes sweeps the offie to bring up the fifty run stand between him and Bairstow. Meanwhile, Shami comes into the attack replacing Umesh.

10:03(IST)

50-run stand comes up between Stokes and Bairstow. The duo have begun positively and should look to continue to bail England out of a tough position.

09:56(IST)

After 55 overs,England 125/5 ( Ben Stokes 22 , Jonny Bairstow (W) 24)

Bairstow seems okay after the early scare. But India have started on a disappointing, two overs into day's play and they have lost their only review. Stokes punishes Ashwin after the spinner drops it short, a pull to mid-wicket for a boundary. Bairstow plays out Umesh in the next over. Reckon Ashwin is thinking about the review, another poor ball and Stokes goes back and slams it towards off side. Umesh's unlucky run continues. Bairstow nicks off him and the ball falls in between the first and third slip and runs away for a four. A second slip would've helped Umesh's cause. A huge appeal for lbw off Ashwin, Dharmasena turns it down. Would've been not out even if India opted for DRS (Which they can't). Saha misses a stumping chance of Stokes off the very next ball!

09:41(IST)

That review from Ashwin must count among the worst. Take your time India, you have 15 seconds.

Ashwin comes into the attack straightaway and oh wait what do we have here? DRS on the very first ball and a poor one to be honest. Ashwin takes it without instantly and replay shows that it came off the gloves before hitting Bairstow's pads. India lose a review early and they will have to go without one for another 30 overs.

09:34(IST)

The third day's play has begun, Bairstow looks fine now, sprinted for a double off Umesh right now.

09:30(IST)

Oh, no! Looks like Jonny Bairtstow has twisted his left ankle while going on the field for the start of day's play. He went back to the dressing room and is back on now.

09:22(IST)

Watch our cricket expert Ayaz Memon preview the third day's play of second Test.

When a player of Joe Root's stature loses his patience and goes for an ugly slog over mid-on, you know the times were tough for visitors on Friday.

23:06(IST)

Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of Day Three of the 2nd Test between India and England at Visakhapatnam. England are struggling at 103/5 at the end of Day Two in response to India's 455. Stay tuned for all the updates of the day's play

Visakhapatnam: England were in deep trouble after being reduced to 103/5 in their reply to India's 455 all out in the first innings at the end of second day of the second cricket Test in Vizag on Friday.

Resuming the day at 317/4, India were bowled out for 455 an hour into the second session of play at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.

In reply, England lost five wickets for just 103 runs and are 352 runs short of India's first innings score.

Virat Kohli and Alastair Cook. AP

Joe Root (53) offered some resistance but the Indian bowling attack, spearheaded by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (2/20), had the visitors on the mat.

England suffered an early jolt when Shami beat England skipper Alistair Cook with a delivery that moved in to beat the bat before breaking the offstump into two.

Haseeb Hameed and Root tried to build a partnership before the former was run out following a horrible mix-up.

England lost quick wickets thereafter with Ben Duckett, Root and Moeen Ali returning to the pavilion in quick succession.

Earlier, India were bundled out for 455 in their first innings just after lunch.

Resuming the day at 317/4, Indian skipper Virat Kohli (167) and all-rounder Ashwin (58) took India past the 350-run mark before England off-spinner Moeen Ali dragged the hosts back with three quick scalps in the morning session.

Ashwin, who registered his eighth Test half-century, added 64 vital runs with Jayant Yadav (35) for the eighth wicket to take India to 415/7 at lunch.

Coming back after the break, England managed to take the remaining three wickets with leg-spinner Adil Rashid accounting for Jayant and Umesh Yadav (13) while Ashwin fell prey to Ben Stokes.

For the visitors, comeback man James Anderson and Ali were the pick of the bowlers with three wickets each while Rashid took two. Pacers Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes chipped in with one wicket apiece.